Scabbard.



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE E. LOWMAN, OF VIRGINIA CITY, MONTANA.

SCABBARD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 660,302, dated October 23, 1900. Application filed July 19, 1900. Serial No, 24,212. (No model.)

To all ZUhOWZ/ it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. LOWMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Virginia Oity,in the county of Madison and State of Montana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Scabbards, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to bayonet-scabbards; and the object of the same is to provide simple and efficient means whereby the interior walls of the scabbard may be kept clean and dry in order that the bayonetvmay be prevented from being rusted and may be kept bright and clean in all kinds of weather.

In the ordinary bayonet-scabbard no provision is made for keeping the inside of the Scabbard clean. In fact, the construction of the ordinary scabbard is such that it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to provide efficient means for getting into the inside of the scabbard to clean it out. This defect I in bayonet-scabbards is entirely overcome by my invention.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, Figure lis a perspective view of a scabbard made in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the Scabbard open. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective of one of the catches for holding the scabbard closed.

Like numerals indicate like parts wherever they occur in the different views.

In said drawings the numerals l and 2 designate the two parts or sections of my scabbard. These two sections may be made of sheet metal or other material and are shown as curved in cross-section to provide space tact and exert some tension when the scab bard is closed. Two transverse springs 9 9 are secured by rivets 10 at different points within the sections 1 and 2, the upper spring being for the purpose of throwing the sections apart when the latches are released. The latches 11 may be formed of strips of spring sheet metal, having thecurled catch portions 12 and the finger-pieces 18. The latches are adapted to pass through the apertures 14 in the section 2 of the scabbard, and when the two parts are brought together the latches catch the margins of the apertures to hold the sections together, and to open the scabbard the finger-pieces 13 are pressed together.

The upper spring 9 then throws the sections apart and permits access to the inner surface of the scabbard for cleaning.

From the foregoing it will be obvious that my scabbard may be kept clean and'bright I upon the inside and that the bayonet will not come in contact with a wet or rusty surface, and but little time will be required in keeping it bright and clean.

Having thus fully described myinvention, what I claim is- 1. A bayonet-Scabbard made in sections, hinged together, and latches for holding the sections closed, substantially as described.

2. A bayonet-scabbard comprising two sections hinged together, latches for holding the sections closed, and springs for separating the sections when the latches are released, substantially as described.

3. A scabbard comprising two sheet-metal sections hinged together, latches for holding the sections together, springs for throwing the sections apart, and a supporting-hook for engagement with a belt, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE E. LOWMAN. 

